Age can bring some problems which can affect the lifestyle of the pets. Timely detection of these problems, proper treatment and dietry changes can help Senior pets stay healthy and happy. Some common problems are:

1 Dental disease

Accumulation of plaque, tartar can ultimately lead to periodontal disease which causes gingivitis , tooth root exposure or dental abscess, all of this can cause lot of pain , bad breath and altered behaviour of pets.

2 Arthritis

Arthritis is also a very common condition found in all the pets depending upon age, weight and lifestyle of pet. Common signs include stiffness of joints , pain, reluctance to do the stairs.

3 Endocrine / Metabolic diseases

Diabetes Mellitus, Cushing, Thyroid problems, Liver/ Kidney disease are common in Senior pets. All of these diseases cause weakness, in some cases they drink more water and urinate excessively. Some of these primary diseases can progress into secondary conditions.

All the above conditions can cause lot of discomfort to the pet and we can see that they are lethargic, may be hiding, develop problems like inappropriate elimination, and have changes in behaviour.

Most of these conditions are treatable or can be medically managed which can help the affected pet a lot. We have often seen that after proper treatment pets regain their normal playful, happy behaviour. Some of the problems can be identified during physical examination done by a Veterinarian and for some blood test and X rays can be done and a treatment plan can be made according to the results.                          

 Annual physical examination and blood work is very important, some of the liver/ kidney/ Thyroid and endocrine/metabolic conditions can be caught early.  Your Veterinarian can give you the required knowledge to prevent dental problems , can advise for proper diet to manage certain conditions.